The International Analog Forestry Network (IAFN) is a

non-governmental organization A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in h ...

(NGO) that seeks to conserve and restore

biodiversity Biodiversity or biological diversity is the variety and variability of life on Earth. Biodiversity is a measure of variation at the genetic (''genetic variability''), species (''species diversity''), and ecosystem (''ecosystem diversity'') l ...

worldwide through the application of

analog forestry Analog forestry is an approach to ecosystem restoration that considers the process of forest formation and the functioning of forest services to be critical in establishing a sustainable ecosystem characterised by a high biodiversity to biomass ra ...

. The IAFN links a variety of community, governmental, and private organizations (29 as of November, 2012), as well as a number of individuals, who apply the practices and principles of analog forestry in their work. The IAFN was established in 1995 to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience among analog forestry practitioners and to further promote the system. The IAFN supports its partners through the development of technical manuals and promotional materials, training, research, and creating improved marketing opportunities. The IAFN established and currently monitors the

Forest Garden Product standard A forest is an area of land dominated by trees. Hundreds of definitions of forest are used throughout the world, incorporating factors such as tree density, tree height, land use, legal standing, and ecological function. The United Nations' ...

, a certification standard for goods produced within

forest gardens A forest is an area of land dominated by trees. Hundreds of definitions of forest are used throughout the world, incorporating factors such as tree density, tree height, land use, legal standing, and ecological function. The United Nations' ...

, which encompasses the requirements of most organic certification but with additional restrictions to further the protection of biodiversity. FGP standards are being adapted to certify minerals that have been " responsibly mined," as well as

ecosystem services Ecosystem services are the many and varied benefits to humans provided by the natural environment and healthy ecosystems. Such ecosystems include, for example, agroecosystems, forest ecosystem, grassland ecosystems, and aquatic ecosystems. Th ...

and products, such as

carbon credits A carbon credit is a generic term for any tradable certificate or permit representing the right to emit a set amount of carbon dioxide or the equivalent amount of a different greenhouse gas (tCO2e). Carbon credits and carbon markets are a compo ...

. The office of the IAFN is currently located in Londres, Puntarenas,

Costa Rica Costa Rica (, ; ; literally "Rich Coast"), officially the Republic of Costa Rica ( es, República de Costa Rica), is a country in the Central American region of North America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the no ...

References

{{Reflist

External links

Official website
Forestry education International forestry organizations Forest conservation organizations Forestry in Costa Rica